Abortion Pill Restrictions Take Effect in Arizona

Arizona's new restrictions on the abortion pill went into effect Tuesday after a federal judge refused to block the rules.

One of the restrictions forbids taking the abortion-inducing drug RU-486 after the seventh week of pregnancy.

The rest requires doctors to strictly follow protocols issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has approved the drug for use through the seventh week.

Before the rule, some doctors would prescribe the abortion pill up through the ninth week, causing more off-label use.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge David C. Bury allowed the new restriction to take effect.

Cathi Herrod, president of the Center for Arizona Policy, praised the decision.

"When Planned Parenthood loses, women win," Herrod said. "It's common-sense regulations protecting the health and safety of women considering an abortion."

Meanwhile, the Center for Reproductive Rights, which filed the suit on behalf of Planned Parenthood, is vowing to fight the ruling.

"This law serves no purpose other than to prevent Arizona women from using a safe alternative to surgical abortion and force their doctors to follow an outdated, riskier, and less effective method," Center for Reproductive Rights attorney David Brown said.